Multi-layered insulating composite fabric

ABSTRACT

Insulating composite fabrics for use with livestock containment facilities in providing protection from the weather. The composites are a foldable construction of opposite side layers each of which includes a waterproof synthetic polymeric resin fabric. The interior layers include combinations of insulating materials and metallized reflective sheets which allows the composites to contain heat within the livestock containment facility.

This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 07/604,019 filedOct. 26, 1990, which is now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an insulating composite fabric for usewith livestock containment facilities such as a hen house or the like.Such facilities have window openings therein, and chicken wire is usedto close the openings, but no glass or other means is employed toprovide protection from the weather. It is particularly important toprovide an insulation means for closing such openings in colder weather.

The invention insulation means is utilized to close such openings, theinsulation means being in the form of a composite panel which isnormally stored on the exterior of the facility in folded positionadjacent the bottom of an opening. Accordingly, the panel should bevertically foldable, so that it can be unfolded from the stored positionand pulled upwardly to seal off the opening whereupon it is attached inoperative position. When it is desired to remove the panel from itsoperative position over the opening, it is lowered and vertically foldeduntil it returns into its stored position.

The exterior of the panel is exposed to the elements, and accordingly itis important that it be waterproof and not subject to deterioration dueto the effects of the sun. The interior of the panel engages the chickenwire as it moves relative thereto, thereby causing abrasion. It istherefore important that the inner surface of the panel be formed of amaterial which is abrasion resistant and which will have a long lifeeven when subjected to abrasion. Additionally, the inner surface of thepanel may be splashed with water from inside the facility when thefacility is being cleaned, and it is desirable that this inner surfacealso be waterproof.

The present invention represents an improvement over the prior artcomposite fabric disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,608,298 which is employedfor the same purpose. In the patented construction, the outer layerexposed to the elements is composed of a knitted textile fabric havingtightly interlaced synthetic textile yarns. The knit is a warp knit, andthe fibers of the yarns may be nylon, vinyl, rayon, polyester orpolyolefin textile yarns. The knit is tight in order to providewater-repellency properties and to minimize the amount of wind blownrain which might be driven through the knitted fabric. However, it isimpossible to provide a waterproof outer surface with this construction,and water will penetrate the composite fabric through the outer surfaceof the fabric.

In addition, this prior art composite fabric employs an inner surface ofthe same construction as the outer surface. As discussed above, suchinner surface is not waterproof as is desirable. Furthermore, thisknitted textile fabric arrangement does not have good abrasionresistance characteristics, and therefore it may wear out prematurely.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention includes various forms of composite fabric which may beused for closing openings in livestock containment facilities, and inaddition, a composite fabric is provided which may be used as a dividercurtain within such a facility.

The fabrics utilized for closing openings include opposite side layerseach of which includes a waterproof synthetic polymeric resin fabric.This ensures that the fabric composite will be able to resist damage dueto rain and snow. The outer surface of the fabric composite ispreferably formed of polyvinyl chloride which is waterproof and whichdoes not deteriorate when subjected to the rays of the sun. The innersurface of the fabric composite is preferably formed of a wovenpolymeric resin of polyethylene or polypropylene. These materials areboth translucent and resistant to abrasion.

A reflective layer including a metallized reflective surface is disposedadjacent the translucent inner layer of the composite. With this uniquecombination of elements, infrared heat is transmitted through thetranslucent layer and is reflected back through the translucent layerinto the interior of the facility to assist in retaining the heat withinthe facility in cold weather. A non-woven batt of insulating textilefibers is disposed adjacent to the reflective layer and between thereflective layer and the outer layer of the fabric composite to enhancethe insulating properties of the invention.

In modified forms of the invention, the inner and outer layers of thefabric composite may be of the same construction. Accordingly, the innerand outer layers may both be formed of a substantially waterproofsynthetic polymeric resin fabric, or they may both be formed of a awoven polymeric resin of polyethylene or polypropylene.

In further modified forms of the invention, an additional reflectivelayer and an additional insulating layer are provided to furtherincrease the insulating characteristics of the invention.

In the composite fabric used as a divider curtain, both the inner andouter layers are preferably formed of a woven polymeric resin ofpolyethylene or polypropylene, such layers both being translucent. Areflective layer is disposed adjacent each of the inner and outer layersso that infrared heat passes through the inner and outer layers and isreflected by the reflective layer back through the adjacent layers intothe interior of the facility within which the divider curtain issupported. An insulating layer including a non-woven batt of insulatingtextile fibers is disposed between the reflective layers in this form ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-section through a first form of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-section through a second form of theinvention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-section through a third form of theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-section through a fourth form of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-section through a fifth form of theinvention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-section through a sixth form of theinvention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-section through a seventh form of theinvention; and

FIG. 8 is a front view of a panel formed of the invention compositefabric, shown in a vertically supported position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, the composite fabric of thisform of the invention includes an inner side layer 10 formed of awaterproof synthetic polymeric resin fabric. This fabric is woven fromflattened tapes preferably composed of polyethylene or polypropylene.The tapes are coated with a film of material corresponding to thematerial of the tapes, to thereby make the woven fabric waterproof.

A second layer 12 is disposed adjacent layer 10 and comprises areflective layer for reflecting infrared heat. Layer 12 is preferablyformed of a sheet of material such as polyester or polyethylene havingaluminum vacuum deposited thereon. Accordingly, this layer includes ametallized reflective surface which has low emissivity.

A third layer 14 forms an insulation layer and comprises a non-wovenbatt of insulating textile fibers. These fibers may formed, for example,of polyesters, polyolefins, rayons, nylon or glass, and mixturesthereof. The batt may be a simply laid batt or a laid and needled batt.This layer has many air spaces to enhance the insulation propertiesthereof. The batt may include a scrim, formed for example of polyester,with the fibers of the batt needle punched into the scrim.

An outer side layer indicated generally by reference character 16comprises a waterproof synthetic polymeric resin fabric. This fabricpreferably comprises a thin sheet of polyvinyl chloride 18 which isadhesively bonded to a scrim 20 which may be formed of polyester. Thisouter layer may also include thin sheets of polyvinyl chloride onopposite sides of the scrim and adhesively bonded thereto.

Securing means is provided for securing the layers in operativerelationship to one another. As seen in FIG. 8, a panel 22 of thecomposite fabric material of the invention is seen as being supported invertical position. The panel includes top and bottom edges 24 and 26 aswell as opposite side edges 28 and 30. The layers of the panel aresecured together by rows of stitches composed of synthetic textile yarnssuch as polyester, polyolefin and nylon yarns. The rows include at leasthorizontally disposed rows 32 which are substantially parallel with theupper and lower edges of the panel. Rows 32 are suitably spaced from oneanother, and the number thereof will vary. In a typical example, therows may be about four inches apart. It will be appreciated that thesehorizontal rows of stitches allow the fabric composite to be folded tovertically gather the composite as it moves in a vertical direction. Thepanel may also include vertical rows of stitches 34 extendingsubstantially parallel with the side edges of the panel. This form ofcomposite fabric may have a thickness of about 1/4 inch.

It should be further understood that similar rows of stitches may alsobe employed in the following forms of the invention in order to retainthe layers in operative relationship to one another. Accordingly, nofurther discussion of the rows of stitches in the followingmodifications of the invention is necessary.

Referring to FIG. 2, a construction is shown wherein components similarto those shown in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals primed.Layers 10', 12' and 14' are identical to layers 10, 12 and 14 of FIG. 1.However, in this form of the invention, layer 16' is identical inconstruction with layer 10'.

Referring to FIG. 3, a construction is shown wherein components similarto those shown in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals doubleprimed. Layers 12'', 14'' and 16'' are identical to layers 12, 14 and 16of FIG. 1. However, in this form of the invention, layer 10'' isidentical in construction with layer 16'', the only difference beingthat the scrim 22 of layer 10'' is on the upper surface of the layerrather than on the lower surface as is the case with layer 16''.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a further form of the invention includes afirst inner side layer 30, and adjacent reflective layer 32 and anadjacent insulating layer 34. These layers are identical in constructionrespectively to layers 10, 12 and 14 of FIG. 1. A further reflectivelayer 36 is disposed adjacent layer 34, and a further insulating layer38 is disposed adjacent layer 36. Layers 36 and 38 are identical inconstruction with layers 32 and 34 respectively. An outer side layer 40is identical in construction to layer 16 of FIG. 1. This form ofcomposite fabric may have a thickness of about 3/8 inch.

Referring to FIG. 5, a construction is shown wherein components similarto those shown in FIG. 4 are given the same reference numerals primed.Layers 30', 32', 34', 36' and 38' are identical to layers 30, 32, 34, 36and 38 of FIG. 4. However, in this form of the invention, layer 40' isidentical in construction with layer 30'.

Referring to FIG. 6, a construction is shown wherein components similarto those shown in FIG. 4 are given the same reference numerals doubleprimed. Layers 32'', 34'', 36'', 38'' and 40'' are identical to layers32, 34, 36, 38 and 40 of FIG. 4. However, in this form of the invention,layer 30'' is identical in construction with layer 40'', the onlydifference being that the scrim 42 of the layer 30'' is on the uppersurface of the layer rather than on the lower surface of the layer as isthe case with layer 40''.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a further modified form of the invention isdisclosed which can serve as a divider curtain. In this form of theinvention, opposite side layers 50 and 52 of the fabric composite areformed of a waterproof woven synthetic polymeric resin fabric, andpreferably are composed of polyethylene or polypropylene. These sidelayers are identical in construction to layer 10 of FIG. 1. Thecomposite fabric also includes a pair of reflective layers 54 and 56disposed adjacent layers 50 and 56 respectively. Layers 54 and 56 areidentical in construction to layer 12 of FIG. 1. An insulating layer 58is adjacent to and disposed between layers 54 and 56. Layer 58 isidentical in construction to layer 14 of FIG. 1.

The construction shown in FIG. 7 can be used as a divider curtain,whereby infrared heat impinging on the curtain from either side thereofcan pass through the translucent side layer and be reflected backthrough such side layer by the adjacent reflective layer, therebyretaining heat on each side of the divider curtain. The centralinsulating layer enhances the insulating effect of the curtain to retainheat on either side of the curtain.

The invention has been described with reference to preferredembodiments. Obviously, modifications, alterations and other embodimentswill occur to others upon reading and understanding this specification.It is my intention to include all such modifications, alterations andalternate embodiments insofar as they come within the scope of theappended claims or the equivalent thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-layered insulating composite fabric foruse with a livestock containment facility such as a hen housecomprising, waterproof inner and outer opposite side layers, said innerside layer comprising a woven fabric formed entirely of flattenedtranslucent plastic tapes coated with a film of material correspondingto the material of the tapes to thereby make the woven fabricwaterproof, a reflective layer disposed adjacent to and outwardly ofsaid inner side layer and having a metallized reflective surface of lowemissivity, an insulating layer disposed adjacent to and outwardly ofsaid reflective layer, said insulating layer comprising a non-woven battof insulating textile fibers having many air spaces to enhance theinsulation properties thereof, said outer side layer being disposedoutwardly of said insulating layer, said outer side layer comprising awaterproof synthetic polymeric resin fabric, and securing means forsecuring said layers of material in operative relationship to oneanother.
 2. A multi-layered insulating composite fabric for use with alivestock containment facility such as a hen house comprising,waterproof inner and outer opposite side layers, said inner side layercomprising a woven fabric formed entirely of flattened translucentplastic tapes coated with a film of material corresponding to thematerial of the tapes to thereby make the woven fabric waterproof, areflective layer disposed adjacent to and outwardly of said inner sidelayer and having a metallized reflective surface of low emissivity, aninsulating layer disposed adjacent to and outwardly of said reflectivelayer, said insulating layer comprising a non-woven batt of insulatingtextile fibers having many air spaces to enhance the insulationproperties thereof, said outer side layer being disposed adjacent to andoutwardly of said insulating layer, said outer side layer comprising athin sheet of polyvinyl chloride adhesively bonded to a scrim, andsecuring means for securing said layers of material in operativerelationship to one another.
 3. A multi-layered insulating compositefabric for use with a livestock containment facility such as a hen housecomprising, waterproof inner and outer opposite side layers, said innerside layer comprising a woven fabric formed entirely of flattenedtranslucent plastic tapes coated with a film of material correspondingto the material of the tapes to thereby make the woven fabricwaterproof, a reflective layer disposed adjacent to and outwardly ofsaid inner side layer and having a metallized reflective surface of lowemissivity, an insulting layer disposed adjacent to and outwardly ofsaid reflective layer, said insulating layer comprising a non-woven battof insulating textile fibers having many air spaces to enhance theinsulation properties thereof, a further reflective layer disposedadjacent to and outwardly of said insulating layer and having ametallized reflective surface of low emissivity, a further insulatinglayer disposed adjacent to and outwardly of said further reflectivelayer, said further insulating layer comprising a non-woven batt ofinsulating textile fibers having many air spaces to enhance theinsulation properties thereof, said outer side layer being disposedoutwardly of said further insulating layer, said outer side layercomprising a thin sheet of polyvinyl chloride adhesively bonded to ascrim, and securing means for securing said layers of material inoperative relationship to one another.
 4. A multi-layered insulatingcomposite fabric for use with a livestock containment facility such as ahen house comprising, waterproof inner and outer opposite side layers,said inner side layer comprising a woven fabric formed entirely offlattened translucent plastic tapes coated with a film of materialcorresponding to the material of the tapes to thereby make the innerside layer waterproof, a reflective layer disposed adjacent to andoutwardly of said inner side layer and having a metallized reflectivesurface of low emissivity, an insulating layer disposed adjacent to andoutwardly of said reflective layer, said insulating layer comprising anon-woven batt of insulating textile fibers having many air spaces toenhance the insulation properties thereof, a further reflective layerdisposed adjacent to and outwardly of said insulating layer and having ametallized reflective surface of low emissivity, said outer side layerbeing disposed adjacent to and outwardly of said further reflectivelayer, said outer side layer comprising a woven fabric formed entirelyof flattened translucent plastic tapes coated with a film of materialcorresponding to the material of the tapes to thereby make the outerside layer waterproof, and securing means for securing said layers ofmaterial in operative relationship to one another.